...

Six stared at the maps on the table before them. It was mostly topographical maps. A few had pins in them marking where troops were. Or where they thought the troops were. Given the terrain, it would be difficult to confirm exact locations.

Delta, Six had his suspicions about the man and they were growing every time he opened his mouth. The cocky arrogant attitude was mostly gone. Now there was a self-assuredness that if this was Rex he never expected to see. Not because he hadn't believed in his charge but because there was too much working against him.

Delta had complete control over his team as he ordered, "Charlie, Beta go get ammo from the quartermaster. Two snipers, a regular set of communication equipment, and three extra sets of combat gear for the agents. Include knives."

Two of the team members both men snapped to attention. They gave Six and Holiday a look but didn't say anything. Reviewing the way Delta spoke he found it very similar to that of Rex. Even if it was slightly lower with the after-effects of puberty. Six frowned examining the man's face and he could see the similarities.

As if sensing his attention Delta turned his head to look at him. There was a question in the man's eyes and for the briefest of moments, they flashed brown. In that moment Six realized he was looking at an older version of Rex. There was no mistaking it. It was a look that he had seen many times in caring for Rex.

As quickly as it had come though it was gone. Grey returned and Del... no Rex continued to bark orders. It sounded too close to the way Knight would bark orders. All of the self-control in the world could not have stopped him from what he did next.

...

Six had better stop staring at him like that. It was setting his teeth on edge. Five years had passed. There was no way the Providence agent could recognize him. Even his only friends hadn't recognized him. The glare Noah was giving him was a clear indicator of that.

Echo was indicating to certain points on the map. Rex listened with half an ear trusting his second to get it right. From the corner of his eye though he saw Six stalks towards him with a deadly grace. Immediately his hand dropped to his knife ready to draw it. It would not do well against the man's swords in straight combat but he knew how to deflect the blades.

So ready for Six to draw his swords he was surprised when the man punched him in the stomach. The air left Rex in a rush and he felt Delta seize control as he instinctively leaned forward. Before he could move back Six grabbed by the back of his neck and pulled him close. Rex was able to wrestle away control as he realized this was a hug. It was the first time he had been hugged since joining Medusa.

Unsure and gruff he asked, "What are you doing, Agent? I don't like people getting in my..."

Six said clearly getting the attention of the others, "You don't fool me. Rex."

Dark eyes glanced at him as Rex froze. How? How in the hell had Six figured out he was Rex?

Noah declared, "Six have you lost your mind? There is no way this soldier is Rex."

Rex swallowed uncertainly. He wasn't sure how to Six had recognized him. If it was going to happen he would have thought it would be when he broke Calan's nose. He had gotten complacent. He should have been more careful. Insisted that Providence got help from a different team.

Six said stepping back slightly but not enough to release him, "This is Rex. Take away the grey eyes and return them to the brown. Truly look at him and you will see what I see."

Holiday stepped forward her own dark eyes examining his face. Cold grey eyes stared at her and he eased the knife from its sheath. The movement was not missed by Six. His grip tightened on the young Medusan's wrist.

Holiday said after a moment, "I can see the similarities. Are you sure Six?"

"Positive," came Six's answer.

Echo gave him a look. Were they really going to do this now? Was Rex really going to let them? No. No, they were not going to do this now. If he was going to save White Knight it would be done as Delta. Not as Rex, the scrawny arrogant kid from Providence. He put that life behind him.

Pulling his arm free of Six's grasp he said in a tone that booked no argument, "If you want our help, Agent," he stressed the word Agent, "You will not pry into who we are. Medusa is a group of no-names. We chose our path the moment we joined the operation. You wanted our help well this is the price. Do not pry into our lives."

Holiday and Six exchanged a look but nodded. For now.